He can see it in their eyes prior to kickoff. This is what happens when national recruiting services label you as the nation’s top wide receiver. Opposing defenses are out to prove it isn’t so and make a name for themselves in the process.
Dunbar senior wide receiver Arrelious Benn has been dealing with that for two years now. They haven’t stopped him yet. The No. 1 wide receiver in the nation, according to Sports Illustrated, has the size — 6-foot-2, 205 pounds — and speed — 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash — to give any defense pause. Tonight at 7, Benn and the Crimson Tide (1-1) travel to Ballou (1-1) for a much-anticipated DCIAA showdown featuring a number of Division I recruits, including Knights senior Marvin Austin, ranked as the nation’s top defensive linemen by multiple recruiting Web sites. It is the DCIAA opener for both teams.
“I just always try and stay humble,” Benn said. “People are going to play their best against me and try all those double- and triple-teams. But I just try and play through it. If I play my hardest every time out it shouldn’t matter what anybody else does.”
Benn had 50 receptions for 1,147 yards and 17 TDs last season and helped Dunbar win its seventh DCIAA championship in eighth years. His final list of potential colleges is as impressive as those stats, including Notre Dame, Florida State, USC, Maryland and Illinois. Benn has already visited Notre Dame.
In two games this season, Benn has 10 receptions for 212 yards and two TDs. He has rushed for 59 yards and two TDs on just five carries. Benn and fellow wideout Isiah Thomas (13 receptions, 262 yards, 5 TDs) will test an inexperienced group of defensive backs for Ballou.
Showdown in Southeast
» Ballou senior DL Marvin Austin, OL Lamar Milstead (North Carolina), LB Romale Tucker (Virginia) and RB Dwan Thornton (Kent State) all transferred to Ballou from Coolidge, where last season they played for new Ballou coach Moe Ware, who was the offensive coordinator.
» If Dunbar’s young offensive line can keep Austin away from quarterback Nate Bussey (28-for-48 passing, 558 yards, 9 TDs), the Crimson Tide should be in good shape Ballou hasn’t come within a touchdown of Dunbar since a 14-8 loss in the 2001 playoffs.
» Ballou will be without Milstead, who is still out of action with a broken finger.
